Engagement in a Citizen Science Project in the Amazon Basin

Abstract

Citizen science is a growing field that has the potential to better integrate citizens’ demands and concerns into research projects through participatory methods, and its approach can contribute to large-scale monitoring projects. In this case study article, we share and discuss methods used to promote participant engagement in a pilot initiative of the Citizen Science for the Amazon Project (CSAP). The overall project collects information on fisheries through an app and its upload tool. The pilot initiative was implemented in the main stem area of the Amazon River in Brazil from 2018 to 2019. We worked with 26 target groups, engaging participants in sessions to use and evaluate the app. Participants are residents of local communities, riverine people (ribeirinhos), with rich knowledge of natural resources and with specific conservation concerns. Fishing is an important source of income and nutrition, and fishery management strategies are a way to access and strengthen land rights. Engaging local communities in citizen science requires specific approaches to promote dialogue between different types of knowledge systems. We present an overview of our participatory strategies and use qualitative data from our monitoring to analyze outcomes. Our key recommendations include: recognizing traditional knowledge holders, including local interests, and upgrading tools according to these interests; using communication strategies to promote equitable dialogues; and stimulating and fostering networks between citizen scientists. By sharing this experience, we aim to contribute to future citizen science projects, especially in rural areas in the Global South.